Tribute

As all of Ms. Roberts' books, this one has lots of romance, very real and likeable characters, and a surprising twist thrown in for good measure. In this case, a child actor (Cilla), now grown and searching for more from life, goes to fix up a home once owned by her famous, movie-star grandmother. Cilla has to rehab the house, deal with her feelings over the supposed suicide of her grandmother thirty years earlier in that very house, and figure out what her attraction is for her closest neighbor, graphic artist Ford. Only someone doesn't want Cilla there digging into thirty years of history, and someone may even kill to keep her from finding out what really happened to her grandmother. Ms. Roberts creates another strong heroine in Cilla McGowan, and another sexy hero in Ford Sawyer. When you add in the spectacular love scenes, the intriguing paranormal twist, and the murder mystery to boot, Ms. Roberts' fans will be once again paying "tribute" to a remarkable author.

If I wanted to read a book about rehabbing a house, I'd buy a manual. It was actually difficult to work my way through this book and since I like to read for pleasure, that's a problem. The characters were dull, the plot was tired, and the dialogue the same as all her books lately. Looks like, after more than 15 years as a NR fan and avid reader, I need to put her in the "get it from the library" pile.

So sad as it used to be I couldn't wait for a new NR release... I'm really disappointed.

I've gone through most of Nora Roberts books. She has a standard. Girl had problem or some drama going on. Girl meets boy. Boy is too perfect. Boy falls in love with Girl while helping her with said drama. Girl drags her feet after Boy proclaims his love. (why is that?) Girl gets a clue and admits love. Girl and Boy overcome her drama and save the day. Same basic story line just different girls and boys and different drama. This book, however, you know if I'd wanted to read about "flipping" houses I would have bought a HOW TO book! The only thing that kept me going was the dog. The dog was almost human and quite funny. This book was not as bad but came close to Northern Lights. I wouldn't bother with it. I'd read something better if I had the time to burn!

Cilla McGowan spent her childhood pretending to be someone she was not. She was a child star in a long running family television show. When the show was cancelled, she picked up other acting jobs, did a few CD's and cameo appearances, but it didn't take Cilla long to realize her acting career was over. With more relief than regret, Cilla tried several alternative careers until she hit upon the one that made her whole. She purchased rundown and forgotten houses, renovated them, and then sold them. She turned the neglected house back into a home.

The one house that Cilla wanted to renovate and turn back into a home was her grandmother's hideaway in Virginia's Shenandoah Valley. Janet Hardy was a Hollywood legend. She died by her own hand spending her final days at the farm.

When her mother, a failed wannabe actress, needed money for her latest production, Cilla talked her into selling the Shenandoah farm to her. Cilla needed to come to terms with the past before she could truly look to the future. Renovating her grandmother's home would do it.

While cleaning out the attic, Cilla came across a bundle of love letters kept by her grandmother. Janet had a lover the final year of her life, and the relationship did not end well. Did she really commit suicide or did the Grim Reaper have a little help?

Cilla was not the only one that knew the letters existed. The work site was repeatedly vandalized, workers and friends hurt, and hateful reminders of her years as an actress kept popping up. Cilla would not be intimidated. With her neighbor Ford at her side, they faced the demons of the past and the demons of the present. Cilla came to Shenandoah with plenty of baggage, but in dealing with her problems, she gains both strength and resiliency.

Tribute is both a romance and a suspense. Nora Roberts does a wonderful job of combining the two. It is a wonderful book full of unforgettable characters and a great story line. It's a lengthy novel, but an easy read. I loved it.

I'm not sure what to say about this book, it's definitely Nora Roberts but didn't read like a traditional Nora Romance. The story is based around a former child star named Cila who is trying to come to grips with her new life and leave her old one behind. A romance forms between Cila and Ford. Ford is the nice guy next door type who can be a bit annoying at times. So we have the quintessential free spirit and the puppet falling in love. I can't say there was anything I would point my finger at that I didn't like (I gave it 4-stars) It's just the overall Nora experience wasn't there. But I would vote for Spock as best supporting actor (those who read it know what I mean)

Editor of the highly recommended novel: Fates by Georgiou, Tino Fates (2nd Edition)